Restful Place Outside of Paris?

I don't have personal experience, but do you follow Rick Steves tour guide Vero? She is on FB as France with Vero and also has a youtube channel.

https://www.facebook.com/francewithvero

https://www.youtube.com/@francewithvero

I mention her because she is now based in Tours and I just noticed when I went to get the youtube link that one of her latest video walks is "Saturday in Saumur". She has done a number of walks in Tours as well.

In response to this part of your post: "I would appreciate suggestions of the names of other towns that would be good for a 2-day body clock reset, not necessarily in the Loire" , I can quote the description of a place which is located 2 hours from Paris and which is often forgotten, even ignored by North American tourists.

"Want to go green, take care of yourself or disconnect. Do not hesitate any more, it is in Baie de Somme that you have to come. Here landscapes, lights, nature activities will make you forget your daily life."

It's not south of Paris but northwest, go take a look anyway, you never know.

https://www.baiedesomme.fr/preparez-votre-sejour/?lang=2

The Baie de Somme, however, is *not * "south to southwest" of Paris.

Well, besides Chartres there is not much between Paris and the Loire Valley...
Fontainebleau maybe, but I don't think there is car rental there.
You could also try Le Mans, 1hr by train from Montparnasse station in Paris. It is has a beautiful medieval town center. Or you could slightly overshoot the Loire and visit Bourges, 2 hrs from Austerlitz station, an often-overlooked town with stunning medieval monuments.

I love JoLui's suggestion, but if not the right direction, you could get a car rental in Fontainebleau or at Orly but stay in Barbizon.

Why not Versailles (the town)? I know there are lots of car rental places there and you can probably get a better price than in Paris. That's where Parisians often rent cars when heading west. I've done it myself several times. It's super easy to get to by public transport.

The grounds of Versailles are massive, open, and free for walks or bicycling. They're usually not very crowded, even in summer. Most tourists just head for the castle and the gardens closest to that. It could be a relaxing place to cope with jet lag by getting out in the fresh air and (hopefully) sun.

The town of Versailles itself is cute and has some other interesting things to see and do, plus a good market, restaurants, and places to stay.

It's helpful to know the month of travel. You don't say so, but I presume you are, among other things, concerned about driving after the long plane flight(s). If so, you need a town where you can take a taxi from the train station to the hotel. Otherwise, I'd just suggest that you take the TGV to St. Pierre Des Corps and rent a car across from the station, and drive 1/2 hour to a quiet chateau-hotel, like Château de la Bourdaisière. I believe the same ticket allows a shuttle train to Tours, where you could taxi to a more urban hotel.

How about Barbizon? Lovely place. I like Fontainebleau for a restful place.

Hi,
Six or seven years ago, I stayed in both Tours and Chinon and loved them both. In Tours, I found a hotel called Hotel Moderne: it was clean, cute, and affordable & walking distance to the train station. I think there was a car rental there, but I opted not to rent a car and used public transportation and took wine tours and tours of Chennonceau (sp.?) and Amboise. Also did some wine tasting in nearby Vouvray, which was outstanding. The staff at the Tourism office, two young women in their late 20's and probably gone now, were EXCELLENT. As for restaurant's I thing you should try Dagobert in the old town: it was outstanding!

As for Chinon, I think it may be what you're looking for: very small, quaint, quiet and filled with old world charm. The castle/"chateau" is worth a few hours and there were a couple nice wine bars, plus beautiful views along the River Vienne, especially as the sun set. Two nights is plenty there.
Hope this helps.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

I couldn't resist this , and must admit I've not been there ( yet ) , but this place has long been in my imagination , As a musician I have long known that the English impressionist composer , Frederick Delius made his home there . Forty miles , south of Paris , Grez sur Loing . Pictures here - https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grez-sur-Loing,+France/@48.3257308,2.4425665,10.25z/data=!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x47e58b8c52af68ab:0x1b3dff5cf39e5486!2sGrez-sur-Loing,+France!3b1!8m2!3d48.316069!4d2.690599!16zL20vMDU5OG5s!3m5!1s0x47e58b8c52af68ab:0x1b3dff5cf39e5486!8m2!3d48.316069!4d2.690599!16zL20vMDU5OG5s some information here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grez-sur-Loing a bit of music as well - https://youtu.be/3xHIhcstxUM